YN'S POV-
I couldn't sleep that much last night again. So many thoughts whizzing around in my head. So many possibilities of what Lucilla and Hanno could have talked about. Or why she rushed off so weirdly after asking about my ring. I can be a pathological liar at times but one thing I am not is a thief
It's the second day of the games I think.. I don't know, I'm loosing track of time as we speak. The sun has risen and I'm sat on the floor pinning my hair up out of my eyes. It's beautifully quiet here which is one of the positives of being alone. Deep down though I kind of expected him to show up.. wish me luck before the games but it was a stupid thought. I mean we only met once and I am technically his prisoner of war.
My back still really hurts since I never actually got medical attention on it. So I spend my time trying to stretch and turn it back to somewhat normal until I hear the door of the cell open. Macrinus and the bald man are stood before me with the usual smile on his face
M- "Good morning Y/N. We thought you could use some training this morning to get you in shape for the second game"
I get up and lean against the wall
Y/N- "If I say no will you leave me here?"
M- "Unfortunately not" he chuckles. I think Macrinus likes me
Y/N- "Didn't think so.. lead the way" He turns on his heals and walks in the opposite direction me following closely behind. It is nice not being restricted for once
He leads me to a courtyard which to no surprise is full of men. It is a perfect summers day so they all look sunkissed and the light even glistens off the sweat rolling down their skin. I spot Hanno sharpening a sword in the corner and go to join him
Y/N- "Thanks Macrinus" i shout while walking away
M- "My pleasure Y/N.."
Hanno looks up at me and musters up a smile that he could manage
H- "Hey Y/N.. how are you feeling?"
Y/N- "I'm okay.. I'm more worried about you though. What happened last night?"
He was about to speak until one of the guards called us over to a makeshift boat with oars..
?- "Everyone aboard.. you need to learn how to row the boat"
I shoot Hanno a confused look but do as I am told and join the others on the boat. I take my seat and grab hold of the oars infront of me. We all needed to push and pull at the same time otherwise we wouldn't get anywhere.
Five minutes pass and I already feel exhausted. The oars are so stiff and so you need to put a lot of power into even moving them. I can feel the ache in my back growing every moment. Everything was fine though until Hanno decided to speak up...
H- "You training us into slaves now?"
The bald man haults in his tracks and looks at him. You can see the anger growing in his face
?- "We will see how you feel when your rowing by yourself.. everyone out!"
I go to get out until he points at me
?- "And you!" What did I do?? I swear he just has something against me
There is no point in arguing so I sit back down and give Hanno a glare. I thought it was hard before but now it feels impossible. Though, I'm not willing to just give up. We rowed for about another half an hour until my body just couldn't take any more. It all happened so fast like a blur. My vision turns to black and my body hits against the floor.
When I finally regain consciousness I open my eyes and see a face extremely close to mine but it is not someone who I expected to see at all. Emperor Caracalla is stood holding my cheeks with his hands and staring back at me..
C- "Brother! She's awake"
I look past Carcalla and see Geta shouting at all the guards angrily
G- "We need her alive to play in the games tonight fools! The people adore her, if she was to die without their knowledge what do you think would happen?"
?- "We are sorry Emperor Geta.. We will take her to Ravi immediately"
He actually cares that I am alive- I mean by what he said its for the wrong reason but his intentions are there
Caracalla lets go of me but doesn't move away
C- "Hello" he chuckles
He seems kinda mad but I can't help but feel sorry for him.. he has the sweetest face
Y/N- "Hello.. Emperor Caracalla right?"
C- "You would be correct.."
G- "Carcalla.. leave the poor girl alone"
?- "We will get a guard to take her there now"
G- "No need.. since you all have proven yourself useless"
He walks over does the most unexpected thing. He scoops me up into his arms and carries me out of the courtyard. I should have put up a fight but I didn't, I didn't want to. His hand has a firm grip on my thigh that makes me want to squirm. I just spend the majority of the journey admiring his beauty. The way his hair bounces when he walks and the way he just is effortlessly carrying me like I'm a bag of feathers. He must have noticed me ogling at him as our eyes meet and we just stare at eachover like we were hypnotised. He eventually clears his throat and announces
G- "Were here.. Ravi will get you better for the game later and you will be as good as new I promise"
I nod as he takes me in and places me onto one of the beds
G- "Ravi are you here??"
A man emerges, looks at Geta and then at me
R- "Emperor Geta.. now this is a surprise. You never come in here"
G- "Well, this is one of our gladiators-
Y/N. She's having some trouble with her back and we need her better for the game tonight"
R- "Of course, I'll see what I can do"
And with that he gives me a small smirk and exists out the room